Good News: There’s a Special Edition EVO X Coming This Summer
Bad news: No Evo XI, and no answer as to Mitsubishi's next big step forward
Mitsubishi’s presence at LA consisted of the Concept XR-PHEV, which could wind up serving as the inspiration for an EVO successor
During a Q&A held Thursday with the folks at Jalopnik, Mitsubishi Executive Vice President Don Swearingen mostly echoed the sentiments of CEO and Chairman Osamu Masuko: no, Mitsubishi is not leaving the United States. Yes, Mitsubishi plans on continuing to expand its model lineup. Yes, that includes a Mirage sedan, a Lancer replacement, and a possible return for the Montero. No, guys, seriously, Mitsubishi is not leaving the United States.
The Lancer EVO is still going bye-bye after 2015
The most exciting answer, arguably, was included in the latest confirmation that dreams of an EVO XI are just that—dreams.
But Swearingen, unlike Wade Barrett, actually has some good news pertaining to a final special edition EVO X:
“We do plan on launching a special edition in June/July of next year as a going away edition. It’s a GSR 5-speed. More horsepower, some suspension tuning, and some bits pieces that are still being finalized. Around 2,000 units will be available.”
Now that’s a plan we can get behind, even if it’s basically just another run of the 440-horsepower Lancer EVO X FQ-440 MR that Mitsubishi sold in the UK in the first half of 2014.
Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X FQ-440 MR: what a beaut
Of course, there were some less-than-satisfying answers peppered throughout: Jalopnik’s own Matt Hardigree posed an important question that is on the mind of most who are hopeful that Mitsubishi survives for more than a few more sunsets—what radical change do you intend to make to turn non-believers into converts?
Swearingen’s answer was less an answer and more the company line:
“We did what we needed to do to survive in the U.S. market. We could’ve just pulled out, but we fought to restructure and to reinvest in the company. Our sales are up. We’re profitable and we’re growing. Mitsubishi has never given up. We’re committed to this market and we’re here to stay.”
That’s all very good, and it’s true. Mitsubishi has survived, and inch by bloody inch, it lives.
But it’s still not an answer.
If the EVO is going by the wayside and, by Swearingen’s own admission, the Mitsubishi brand tends to connect with younger buyers, what is the next big step?
News Source: Jalopnik
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